Water droplets beading on BEST-treated cellulose paper surface demonstrating hydrophobic barrier performance
BE Sustainable Technologies, LLC

Advanced Hydrophobic Chemistry for Cellulose Materials

Proprietary surface modification technology delivering water repellency, fire resistance, and insect resistance to paper, cork, and cellulose-based substrates.

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>90°
Contact Angle
100%
Repulpable
Patent
Pending
Food-Safe
Certification
About BEST

Engineered Sustainability at the Molecular Level

BE Sustainable Technologies develops proprietary chemical formulations that fundamentally modify the surface properties of cellulose-based materials. Our technology platform addresses the critical gap between sustainability requirements and material performance in industrial applications.

Unlike conventional barrier coatings that rely on PFAS, wax, or polyethylene lamination, BEST chemistry creates durable hydrophobic performance while maintaining full repulpability and recyclability. Our formulations are applied at existing paper mill wet-end or size-press stations with no capital equipment changes required.

We partner directly with paper mills, specialty chemical distributors, and product manufacturers to deliver performance-enhanced substrates for packaging, construction, horticulture, and agricultural applications.

Explore Chemistry View Products
Industrial paper mill production equipment where BEST chemical treatments are applied
  BEST treatments integrate at existing paper mill wet-end stations
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE REMARKABLE
"Reduce · Reuse · Recycle · Remarkable"
Our Chemistry

Four-Stage Surface Modification Platform

BEST's proprietary process exploits sequential physicochemical mechanisms to achieve durable, multi-functional performance on cellulose substrates.

STAGE 01
Molecular visualization of hydrolysis reaction on cellulose fibers

Hydrolyzation

The initial stage involves controlled hydrolytic activation of the cellulose substrate. Reactive silanol intermediates are generated in situ through pH-regulated hydrolysis of organosilane precursors. This step creates highly reactive species with available hydroxyl groups capable of forming stable interfacial bonds with the cellulose matrix. Reaction kinetics are controlled through temperature and catalyst concentration to optimize silanol density without degrading fiber integrity.

STAGE 02
Visualization of molecular physisorption onto cellulose fiber surface

Physisorption

Following hydrolysis, treatment molecules undergo spontaneous physisorption onto the cellulose fiber surface through van der Waals and hydrogen-bonding interactions. This non-covalent adsorption stage establishes a uniform molecular monolayer across the accessible fiber surface area. The physisorbed layer serves as a templating mechanism, positioning reactive functional groups at optimal orientation and density for subsequent covalent bond formation. Surface coverage is monitored via contact angle progression.

STAGE 03
Scientific visualization of covalent bonds forming between treatment molecules and cellulose

Covalent Bonding

The critical third stage converts physisorbed molecules to permanently grafted surface modifications through condensation reactions between silanol groups and cellulose hydroxyl sites. Si–O–C covalent bonds are formed at the fiber-treatment interface, creating a chemically robust anchor that resists dissolution, abrasion, and thermal cycling. Cross-linking between adjacent silane molecules further reinforces the treatment layer, building a three-dimensional polysiloxane network on the fiber surface.

STAGE 04
SEM-style microscopy of cured hydrophobic treatment on cellulose fibers

Curing

Thermal curing completes the surface modification by driving residual condensation and optimizing the cross-linked polysiloxane network architecture. Controlled heating at process-compatible temperatures (compatible with existing paper machine dryer sections) promotes full network densification. The resulting surface exhibits stable hydrophobic character with contact angles exceeding 90°, maintained through accelerated aging protocols. Cured substrates retain full repulpability per TAPPI T-205 standard.

  Explainer video placeholder — Technical overview of BEST surface modification chemistry

Product Portfolio

Performance-Enhanced Cellulose Products

Each product leverages our core chemistry platform, optimized for substrate-specific performance requirements and manufacturing compatibility.

Cobb test showing water beading on BEST-treated paper versus untreated control

The BEST Solution, Paper

  • Cobb value reduction >70% vs. untreated control
  • Full repulpability maintained (TAPPI T-205)
  • PFAS-free barrier chemistry
  • Compatible with wet-end and size-press application
  • Food-contact compliant formulation available
Download Data Sheet
BEST-treated paper pallet in industrial warehouse showing water resistance

The BEST Pallet

  • Paper-based pallet with hydrophobic reinforcement
  • Compressive strength exceeding wood pallet equivalents
  • Moisture resistance for cold-chain and humid storage
  • Fully recyclable in standard paper streams
  • Lightweight: reduced shipping costs vs. wood/plastic
Download Data Sheet
BEST-treated corkboard panel showing hydrophobic surface treatment

The BEST Cork

  • Hydrophobic corkboard for construction and insulation
  • Enhanced acoustic insulation properties
  • Insect and mold resistance
  • Fire-retardant treatment option
  • Patent-pending substrate treatment
Download Data Sheet
Biodegradable BEST-treated paper flowerpot with healthy plant

The BEST Flowerpot

  • Molded cellulose pot with controlled water resistance
  • Biodegradable in soil after useful service life
  • Structural integrity maintained through growing season
  • Replaces plastic nursery containers
  • Compatible with automated potting equipment
Download Data Sheet
BEST-treated agricultural weed block in crop field

The BEST Agricultural Products

Product Line Includes:
  • Weed Block
  • Tree Skirts
  • Garden Stakes
  • Paper-based alternatives to plastic agricultural films
  • UV-stabilized hydrophobic treatment for outdoor durability
  • Biodegradable at end of life — no microplastic residue
  • Weed suppression performance comparable to PE film
  • Insect-resistant formulation reduces pesticide requirements
Download Data Sheet
Leadership

Built by Scientists, Driven by Market Need

Rich

Founder & CEO

Serial entrepreneur with deep experience in specialty chemical commercialization. Identified the market gap for PFAS-free hydrophobic treatments and assembled the technical team to develop BEST's core chemistry platform. Leads strategic partnerships with paper mills and distribution channels.

Bob

R&D / Chemistry Lead

Surface chemistry specialist with expertise in organosilane systems and cellulose modification. Architect of BEST's four-stage treatment process. Leads formulation development, analytical method validation, and scale-up from bench to production. Named inventor on pending patent applications.

Fred

Product & Commercial

Brings extensive B2B experience in specialty chemicals and packaging materials. Manages product-market fit, customer technical support, and go-to-market strategy. Translates laboratory performance data into commercial specifications and application guidance for mill partners.

Intellectual Property

Patent-Pending Innovation

Patent Pending — Proprietary Technology

Hydrophobic Cellulose Materials Using Aqueous Based Emulsions with Alkyl Ketene Dimers and Alkoxysilanes

This invention relates to preserving and waterproofing of articles and materials such as wood, drywall, paper, other wood products, fabric, and concrete, to methods for producing hydrophobic materials and products, and particularly to the preparation and use of alkyl ketene dimers (AKD) and silane formulations for such purposes.

Prior Art Limitations

Today’s Solution & Its Challenges

AKD Emulsion Instability

Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD) has been used since the 1950s to impart water repellency. Applied as an aqueous emulsion to cellulose fibers, it forms a water-repellant surface. However, AKD reacts with water, degrading the active ingredient.

Shelf life: 30–60 days
Oligomer Formation

Alkylalkoxysilanes must be hydrolyzed in aqueous medium. The resulting alkylhydroxysilanes self-condense into oligomers within hours to days, destroying effectiveness.

Shelf life: hours to days
Industrial Scale Barriers

Low concentrations (<1%) are required due to short shelf-life, leading to lengthy preparation, increased storage, and additional personnel—restrictive at industrial scale.

Concentration: <1%
The Invention

The BEST Solution™

Combining alkylalkoxysilanes and AKD with water and an emulsifier produces a surprisingly stable emulsion. This can be performed at mild temperatures since AKD melts at relatively low temperatures (40–60°C). Once liquified, AKD readily dissolves into silanes.

The emulsification is effectively performed using a sheer blender. The resulting emulsion is stable for months—the silanes tend to associate with AKD more than with water, inhibiting the formation of oligomers.

Synergistically, the silanes also inhibit degradation of AKD by limiting the hydrolysis reaction with water. Treatment requires a significantly smaller volume to impart hydrophobicity compared to prior art methodology.

Emulsion Shelf Life
30–60 days
Months
Processing Temp
High energy input
40–60°C
Volume Required
Large volume, <1%
Significantly Less
Oligomer Inhibition
Rapid self-condensation
Synergistic Stability
Performance Data

Validated Results Across Key Metrics

Independent testing and third-party validation support every performance claim.

Metrics shown are placeholders for design purposes pending final reports.
Placeholder
Tensile / Burst Strength
42 psi
Mullen burst strength (treated)
Source: Axchem [placeholder]
Restricted
Contact Angle
>90°
Static water contact angle (goniometer)
Source: Smurfit [placeholder] — Do not share externally
Placeholder
Repulpability
100%
Fiber recovery per TAPPI T-205
Source: Western Michigan University / Smurfit [placeholder]
Placeholder
Recyclability Certification
Certified
Third-party recyclability verification

Certification badge placeholder

Certification body: [pending] [placeholder]
Placeholder
Food-Safe Certification
Compliant
FDA 21 CFR / food-contact testing

Food-contact certification placeholder

Source: Axchem [placeholder]
Placeholder
Acoustic Insulation
NRC 0.65
Noise Reduction Coefficient (BEST Cork)
Testing: [pending] [placeholder] — Patent status: corkboard [placeholder]
Get in Touch

Start a Technical Conversation

Our team is available for technical discussions, sample requests, and NDA-protected data sharing.

Direct Contact

Email
info@besustainabletech.com [placeholder]
Phone
(555) 000-0000 [placeholder]
Office
[City, State] [placeholder]

Confidential Data Access

Certain performance data (contact angle measurements, proprietary formulation details) is available under NDA. Submit a request to initiate the process.

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